Podcast
Africa Daily
Wed, August 30 2023 3:00:00 GMT
BBC World Service
Episodes
27 Mar
Can President Joseph Boakai make Liberia’s government more honest?
<p>“Everybody wants to see you – everybody thinks this is an opportunity for employment…. a lot of people come into government believing they are there to enrich themselves.”</p><p>It’s nearly three months since Joseph Boakai started work as Liberia’s new president. But in an interview with the Africa Daily podcast he tells Alan Kasujja that he’s still fielding enquiries from people wanting government jobs every working day from early in the morning. </p><p>The 79-year-old, who was Vice President from 2006 to 2018 under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, narrowly defeated George Weah in November last year – after campaigning on an anti-corruption ticket. But he says while he’s spoken constantly about the need to clean up politics, many people ‘still haven’t grasped’ the concept that politics is about service and not about financial security for themselves and their family.</p><p>In a wide-ranging and frank interview, he also tells Alan Kasujja how poverty and badly paid jobs like rubber tapping helped prepare him for leadership, his plans for a war crimes court to work for justice and reconciliation after the country’s two brutal civil wars, and how he wants to sort out Liberia’s awful roads within his first 100 days in office.</p><p>And he and Alan discover a shared love of Arsenal Football Club…</p> 26 Mar
What happened to South Africa’s promise of low-cost housing?
<p>“Life here is difficult. You have to be a resilient person to survive. There’s no electricity. The roads are almost non-existent. In sunny days, the shack gets too hot. You can’t stay inside. When it’s cold, it gets very cold. When it’s raining, it gets flooded” – Lala Maria Sebetlele, a resident of a Johannesburg shanty town
When Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress took over in 1994, it introduced the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP). It’s a policy that aims to build low-cost homes for the poor, thus reversing the legacy of apartheid.
More than three million such houses have since been built, but many people still live in shanty towns due to a variety of reasons. They include internal migration and rapid urbanization.
The University of Johannesburg has now come up with an initiative to use 3D printing technology to construct low-cost houses to help ease the accommodation burden. How exactly does it work? And will it make a difference?
Presenter: Alan Kasujja
Guests: Lala Maria Sebetlele, Dr. Alec Moemi and Professor Jeffrey Mahachi</p> 25 Mar
How have some Rwandans overcome the trauma of genocide, 30 years later?
<p>It’s been 30 years since one of the worst atrocities in recent African history - the Rwandan genocide.</p><p>In 1994, between 800,000 and one million ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in 100 days.</p><p>Some Rwandans have worked hard to move on from the tragic events of 1994, but many - both in and out of the country - are still living with the trauma.</p><p>Jean Paul Samputu was already an established musician in Rwanda at the time. </p><p>He was living abroad during the genocide, but he lost his parents, two brothers and a sister, all killed by a neighbour and his childhood friend. </p><p>Now a global peace ambassador, Jean Paul says he has found healing in forgiving his family’s killer.</p><p>The Kora Awards winner tells Alan Kasujja what role music has played in his peace campaigns.</p> 22 Mar
Can there be a peaceful transition to power in Senegal?
<p>After a turbulent few years of disputes and protests, and accusations that President Macky Sall was trying to hang on to office, Senegal is holding its presidential election on March 24.</p><p>Speaking to the BBC this week, the president refused to apologise for his attempt in February to postpone the vote by several months - saying he'd always acted according to the constitution and that he 'did nothing wrong'.</p><p>He decision led to violent protests, but was reversed after Senegal’s top court blocked the postponement.</p><p>So, will these elections be a turning point for Senegal and can the country have a peaceful transition of power?</p><p>Presenter: Alan Kasujja</p><p>Guests: James Copnall and Professor Mamadou Bodian</p> 21 Mar
Why is FGM proving so contentious in The Gambia?
<p>Female Genital Mutilation or FGM is a practice that divides people. In the countries where it’s common – it’s usually carried out for cultural or religious reasons - but in recent years many African countries have banned the practice saying it’s a violation of the rights of women and girls. It can cause serious health problems – including infection and complications in childbirth – and girls have died when the procedure has gone wrong. </p><p>But now in The Gambia – a bill has been introduced that would reverse a ban brought in under former President Yahya Jammeh in 2015. This week, the bill passed its latest parliamentary stage and will now go to a committee of MPs for further consideration.</p><p>For Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks to Jaha Marie Dukureh, the founder for Safe Hands for Girls - an organization focused on ending FGM in The Gambia, and UN women regional goodwill ambassador for Africa.</p> 20 Mar
Could a coalition government finally bring peace to Libya?
<p>For the last 10 years Libya has been split into two – East and West - each with its own government.</p><p>And in 2021 an attempt at elections failed after some questioned the eligibility of the main candidates.</p><p>But now three influential Libyan leaders have said they intend to try to form a new unified government. They say it's a 'necessity'.
So why is this happening now? And could a coalition government finally bring some peace to Libya?
Guest: Amira Fathalla, Presenter: Alan Kasujja</p> 19 Mar
Will Kenya police lead a multinational force in Haiti?
<p>So the question being discussed by Kenyans for the last 2 weeks: will the country really send police officers to Haiti or not?</p><p>US citizens have been evacuated and aid groups have warned that millions of Haitians face acute food shortages, as well-armed gangs wreak terror on the capital, Port-au-Prince. </p><p>It’s widely accepted that stopping the gangs will take determined international intervention – but the shape that it will take is still under question. </p><p>President Ruto is insisting Kenya will send 1000 police officers to fight the gangs once a transitional government is in place.</p><p>But many Kenyans are asking why their police officers are being offered to lead the force – when the US is so much closer to the violence stricken country. </p><p>In this episode of Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja talks to Dr Ekuru Aukot, a lawyer and opposition politician who successfully obtained a court order stopping the deployment in January.</p><p>He also talks to Kenyan security analyst George Musamali and BBC Africa’s Security Correspondent Ian Wafula.</p> 18 Mar
How easy is it for a rogue fake lawyer to escape detection in Kenya?
<p>Earlier this month an arrest warrant was issued for a Kenyan man accused of practising law without qualifications after he skipped court, according to the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).</p><p>The case has captivated Kenyans ever since the man was outed as an illegitimate lawyer last October, there's been outrage, support and amusement.</p><p>At the time, legal officials in Kenya urged police to arrest the man, who had been practicing under the name "Brian Mwenda".</p><p>Alan Kasujja spoke to Mwaura Kabata, the Vice President Elect of the Law Society of Kenya. They’re known for advocating for lawyers' rights, shaping legal policies and providing crucial support and education to legal professionals across the country.</p> 15 Mar
Is there an opposition anymore in Chad?
<p>It’s like something out of a Shakespearean drama. A strongman in power. A cousin threatens his position only to end up dead.
But this is Chad, 2024 – and the strongman is Chad’s military leader, Mahamat Déby. Recently his most vocal critic, Yaya Dillo, who was also his cousin, was killed in a shootout with security forces. </p><p>So what is the relationship between different members of this powerful family?
And as the country gears up to Presidential elections on the 6th May – meant to return the country to constitutional rule - does Chad even have a viable opposition anymore?</p><p>Guest: Beverley Ochieng, Presenter: Alan Kasujja</p> 14 Mar
How will the United States' new sanctions affect Zimbabwe?
<p>“As an ordinary Zimbabwean I have to be worried when my president is sanctioned, because an investor who is in Dubai will think twice before coming to Zimbabwe” – Dr. Alexander Rusero, Zimbabwean political analyst.
The United States has imposed fresh sanctions, replacing a broader programme that was introduced more than two decades ago.
Those targeted include president Emmerson Mnangagwa who is accused by President Joe Biden’s administration of corruption and human rights abuses.
Others on the list are First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri.
In a statement the United States says, “We continue to witness gross abuses of political, economic and human rights”. The White House further says, the targeting of civil society and severe restrictions on political activity have stifled fundamental freedoms.
But Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF has denied America’s claims.
So, where do these developments leave ordinary Zimbabweans?
Alan Kasujja speaks to Zanu-PF spokesperson Tafadzwa Mugwadi and political analyst Dr. Alexander Rusero.</p>